The Police and The Private

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The highlight of today was definitely the private party that Lauren and I were invited to by our friends Christina and Andy Quan (pictured).  Little did I know that it was actually a wedding reception until I arrived.  Maybe I just wasn't paying attention beforehand. Nah, that almost never happens.  The reception was held in Jourdanton, Texas, a small town that is an all-too-typical small town. (there's a reason i'm mentioning this) The music at the party was great and all of the guests were very friendly.  I danced for the first time in too long and had a lot of fun with Lauren and the Quans.  By the end of the night, I was ready to go home and crash.  But first I would need to watch highlights of the Kentucky-Wake Forest game.  "We" had won again (by 30) so I was in a great mood until...
I saw the lights of a Jourdanton PD squad car behind me. I was being pulled over for "having a headlight out."  Note to Reader: The daytime running lamps were operational, but the driver's side low-beam was out.  Light was being emitted from both headlights with one side being slightly dimmer.  Officer Bumpkin only gave me a warning for the headlight but cited me for failing to get a Texas driver's license.  I will admit that I am guilty of that.  I tried once and found out that I needed my passport.  I tried again and there was at least a 4-hour wait time.  Lauren can attest that this is no exaggeration.  There are few things I dislike about Texas but the license ordeal is one of them.  First of all, all out-of-staters are required to switch over their licenses within the first 30 days of their newfound residency.  Second, you don't receive a new license on the spot.  Instead, they give you a piece of paper.  A voucher, more or less, that is devoid of any photo and only has your signature to prove that you are who you say you are.  Come on Texas.  Seriously?  Why you ask?  Well it's because every driver's license application is processed in Austin.  That's right, one of the largest states in the country diverts all application traffic to one city for the entire state. Oh, and did I mention that the Texas licenses are hideous?  Just sayin'.  Officer Bumpkin (Rutherford) proceeded to hand me my citation and wish me a good evening.  I drove off into the night, calm with fury, but refusing to let such a petty act ruin my evening. Oh, and if you're wondering about the name of this post, it's actually the title of a song of one of my favorite Indie bands.  The message of the song doesn't relate to my day, but the title certainly does.  Have a listen!

POLICE, adjective

Friday, March 19, 2010

As we all know, Friday night is movie night.  Or at least that's the case for those of us who have no children and are under the age of 25.  Seeing as how I still fit into one of those categories I was in the mood to venture out.  I set out with two requirements: I wanted a beer and I wanted to laugh.  Only one of those was fulfilled.  After quickly researching San Antonio theaters that served adult refreshments I remembered a recommendation a friend had given me a few weeks back.  She told me that the Bijou theater was the only one in San Antonio that regularly featured independent films.  "Hey," I thought, "I like independent films."  Fortunately, Bijou Cinema is also a bistro.  Beer?  Check!  The film they were playing was far from a comedy but it wasn't mainstream either, which was a plus. Sometimes, I'm just not down with mainstream anything and want something a little more personal.  A bit left-of-center.  The Romanian moving picture was titled "POLICE, adjective."  It has won multiple awards for blah blah blah and was heralded as some film festival's yadda yadda yadda.  I didn't employ time uselessly reading reviews.  Films should win awards because they are good, not be considered good simply because they've won awards.  And everyone's "good" is different.  I didn't want to be conditioned to like the film or even be conditioned to want to like it.  Saw it. Liked it. Didn't love it. Liked it. I enjoyed my perfectly chilled Guinness.  I even enjoyed hearing elements of four distinct languages that comprise the Romanian language.  Tonight was just what I needed.

Mad About UK

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The NCAA Men's College Basketball tournament started today.  You're literally seeing Thursday through my eyes.  Kentucky over East Tennessee State 100-71.  **yawn**

The Couch

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I love inanimate objects.  They become everything you need them to be and nothing you don't.  Maybe that's why men love tools so much.

"Say You're Done With Them"

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

I began reading "Say You're One Of Them" in early January of this year.  It was my casual read for our cruise.  However, this collection of short stories is anything but casual.   Five short stories are told from the perspective of children facing various crises throughout different African countries.  There are no spoiler alerts here because, honestly, there's not much to spoil.  To date, this has been my most disappointing read but I cannot bring myself to call it a bad book.  It is well-written with subject matter that figures to be relevant for years to come.  Despite being a piece of fiction, the stories are based on real world events and/or scenarios.  However, first-time author Uwem Akpan failed to draw me in.  There was never a point in the book where I felt like I couldn't put it down.  I can't stand not finishing books and that's the main (see: only) reason I pushed through this one.  

Rain

Monday, March 15, 2010

Tonight I was pleasantly surprised by the one thing that is always pleasantly surprising - rain at night.  Apparently it was forecasted but if you don't read the forecast, then...well, you know. If I could, I would order up a big batch of the stuff every night before bed.  There's just something calming about the sound of millions of water droplets colliding with earth.  Washing away anything harmful that may have collected on the surface.  A fresh start.  A new beginning.  Rain.  I like you.  Come back anytime.

Point One to One Point

Sunday, March 14, 2010

One year ago today, I was having fun promoting international Pi Day because that's just the kind of nerd I am.  One year later my focus was a little different.  After a few years of being cellar dwellers, Kentucky basketball was back where it belongs - on top! Today's SEC Championship game against Mississippi State was an instant classic.  A handful of ties, twenty or more lead changes, buzzer beaters and OT!!!  Of course, it's only a "great game" if they (we?) win.  And we did!  The worst part of watching this game was knowing that the outcome had already been decided.  I missed the live broadcast and had to watch it on my DVR later that day.  My phone was turned off to block all texts and I avoided Facebook for the first time, I think, ever.  After all of the tension, shallow breathing, yelling at the refs, and applauding great plays (literally) were over Kentucky stood alone.  Victorious.  This was their first SEC championship since 2004.  An eternity.  For the rest of the day, a smile took up permanent residence on my face.  Oh yeah, the photo is the shirt I was wearing during the game.  And now I'm not sure if I should wash it...

Funnel Vision

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Most every Saturday, Lauren and I treat ourselves to a different restaurant for Date Night.  Tonight's choice was La Tierra in Downtown San Antonio.  This worked out well because (1) we had a gift card as a wedding gift and (2) the Luminaria festival was taking place.  Luminaria is San Antonio’s annual celebration of art and artists attracting nearly 200,000 people each year.  Sadly, since the restaurant was PACKED we had to wait about an hour to get in.  After enjoying some face-numbing margaritas and tasty Mexican dishes there wasn't much time to enjoy the sights & lights of the festivities. Because of this, I was saddened.  Saddened until I saw a humble little stand with a sign that read "Funnel Cakes."  Lauren was still full, so I tackled this beast all alone.  I boxed it up to go and enjoyed the rest of it at home with a tall glass of cold milk.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Tea Thames

Thursday, March 11, 2010

In July of 2007 I visited the United Kingdom for the first time, namely England and Scotland. During my time in the land of Scot plenty of delightful on-the-go activities occupied my time.  Bunking in hostels brimming with personality, backpacking through the seemingly untouched countryside, standing in reverence of the castles, or taking a quick dip in Loch Ness.  It was all wonderful and, if I'm being quite honest, a bit much to take in in just under a week.  Although the scenery changed often, one constant was always present - tea. Proper tea.  As my tour around Scotland progressed, the consumption of the hot (never cold) beverage began to take on a deeper meaning.  It was during these times that I sat with friends and discussed what we had experienced that day.  With each sip a mental snapshot was being uploaded.  With each sip the corners of my mouth creased slightly.  I can hardly bring myself to call this brief stay in the UK a vacation.  It was more of a life-enriching jaunt.  I was leaving a better person than when I had arrived.  And even though I couldn't take Larkhall's babbling brook home with me I did have my memories.  And my tea.

Polar-Eyes 3D

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

After not wanting to see Avatar at all initially, I went because Lauren and her parents wanted to go.  The film was pleasantly surprising.  Deep and layered with multiple, analogous parallels if you're looking for them.  Or just really cool if you're not.  Regardless of preference, the visuals were a welcome addition to the film.  The only thing that could make them better was another dimension.  So three months after its theatrical release, I finally got the chance to enjoy the film in 3D.  I'll admit, I was a bit disappointed when I wasn't handed the good ol' red-n-blue-lensed paper glasses (à la Jaws 3D).  In their stead were the high fashion polarized specs pictured above.  So much for nostalgia.  However, I enjoyed watching Avatar a second time and the 3D experience truly added a bit of depth to the film.

Running Short

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

I was tired of running in general "athletic" shorts so I decided to give these little beauties a try.  To say they are small is an understatement, as is saying they are great for running.  Any self-consciousness eroded as I hit my stride and sailed through my first mile. (note: embellishment may be heavy at times throughout this blog) Although I'm still getting used to the newfound levels of exposure, these shorts allow me to keep my mind on the run at hand.  I mean, underfoot.